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Excerpts from
Bankruptcy Basics
A Public Information Series of the Bankruptcy Judges Division
Administrative Office of the United States Courts
APRIL 2004
Revised Second Edition

Contents

Introduction

The Discharge in Bankruptcy

Chapter 7. Liquidation Under the Bankruptcy Code

Chapter 13. Individual Debt Adjustment

Background

How Chapter 13 Works

Making the Plan Work

The Chapter 13 Discharge

The Chapter 13 Hardship Discharge

Chapter 11. Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code

Chapter 12. Family Farmer Bankruptcy

Chapter 9. Municipality Bankruptcy

SIPA. Securities Investor Protection Act

Bankruptcy Terminology

Bankruptcy BASICS

Chapter 13

Individual Adjustment of Debt

MAKING THE PLAN WORK

Once the court confirms the plan, it is the responsibility of the debtor to make the plan succeed. The debtor must make regular payments to the trustee, which will require adjustment to living on a fixed budget for a prolonged period.

The provisions of a confirmed plan are binding on the debtor and each creditor. 11 U.S.C. § 1327. Once the court confirms the plan, it is the responsibility of the debtor to make the plan succeed. The debtor must make regular payments to the trustee, which will require adjustment to living on a fixed budget for a prolonged period. Alternatively, the debtor's employer can withhold the amount of the payment from the debtor's paycheck and transmit it to the chapter 13 trustee. Furthermore, while confirmation of the plan entitles the debtor to retain property as long as payments are made, the debtor may not incur any significant new credit obligations without consulting the trustee, as such credit obligations may have an impact upon the execution of the plan. 11 U.S.C. §§ 1305(c), 1322(a)(1) & 1327.

A debtor may consent to the deduction of the plan payments from the debtor's paycheck. Experience has shown that this practice increases the likelihood that payments will be made on time and that the plan will be completed. In any event, failure to make the payments in accordance with the confirmed plan may result in dismissal of the case or its conversion to a liquidation case under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c).